Eighth Ward News

From Councilmember Elizabeth Glidden

Transit Access Project at 35W/Lake Moves Forward

This week, the City Council moves forward with one of the biggest transit investments in the region, the 35W Lake Transit Access Project. With this project, we move forward with a critical missing piece to Bus Rapid Transit implementation, connecting Lakeville to downtown Minneapolis along 35W: a multi-modal transit station at 35W/Lake.

A prior version of this project did not include a transit station, expanded the freeway, and had a total cost of $500 million and growing. In 2007, I was proud to co-author a resolution that said “no” to the freeway expansion project and refocused the project on transit at 35W/Lake.

The project includes, as the highest priority, a transit station at 35W/Lake that will connect riders to bus rapid transit on 35W, connect to bus transit on Lake Street, and connect to the Midtown Greenway where we hope streetcars will run in the future. Other project components include a southbound exit to Lake Street and a northbound exit to 28th Street.

With the Southbound exit, more direct access to Lake Street and surrounding destinations will be provided; this missing movement to the South Minneapolis commercial area has been desired by small business owners and neighbors for years, and will reduce existing cut through traffic in the neighborhoods. The 28th Street ramp will reduce traffic from the 31st Street exit by 25%, increasing livability for neighbors in the area and providing more direct access for traffic to the hospitals and large employers. Unlike the previous versions of the 35W Lake project, these elements cost less (a total of $114 million), are a smaller profile, and meet a cost-benefit project analysis individually and as a whole.

The project approved today is a different project than the one proposed before the 2007 City resolution prioritizing transit. It costs less, it focuses on missing movements that left out South Minneapolis commercial areas when 35W was constructed, and it reiterates that transit is our number one priority.

Kingfield

Powderhorn

38th & Chicago Implementation Committee

Meets 3rd Monday, 7 pm, Pillsbury House, 3501 Chicago Ave S

Council Prepares for Utility Franchise Agreement Negotiations

The City of Minneapolis is in the early stages of preparing for franchise negotiations with Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, both of which expire in 2014. We believe these negotiations should offer the City the opportunity to infuse our values around energy and sustainability into the agreement, to ensure fair value for public benefit (use of our right of way), and to advocate on behalf of the people of Minneapolis who would like to have more control over their own energy uses and energy sources.

State law governs the scope of the City’s authority through a franchise agreement. We believe that it’s time for changes to state law that regulates these utilities, to give us greater flexibility in seeking how to meet our green energy goals through franchise agreements. In the coming months, the City Council will review potential state law changes and consider formal support for these changes on our state legislative agenda.

Key information and updates regarding Minneapolis utility franchise agreements and negotiation is available at www.minneapolismn.gov/energyfranchise.Look for updates in the months to come!

A modern streetcar and enhanced bus options are being considered on a key route through the city, including Nicollet Avenue through south Minneapolis and downtown and Central Avenue in Northeast.The City is now conducting a study to identify a preferred transit mode (streetcar or enhanced bus) for the corridor.

The route being examined extends from the 46th Street/Interstate 35W Transit Station and Nicollet Avenue on the south, through Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, over the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, and north along Central Avenue NE to the Columbia Heights Transit Center on Central Avenue at 41st Avenue NE.

As part of this project, the City is conducting a quick online survey to collect public input on transit needs and opportunities in the corridor.

Free Energy Efficiency Assessments

A pilot program to reduce pollution is looking for Minneapolis organizations (businesses, schools, nonprofits, etc.) to sign up for free energy efficiency assessments. Commercial buildings account for an estimated 45 percent of energy use, and the City of Minneapolis is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2025.

The assessments put knowledge in consumers’ hands to help them make decisions that will save them money. The Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) and the City - in a partnership called Green Business Benchmarking – will help businesses monitor their energy use from year to year and to learn how to reduce energy, water and waste.

Bulk Buy for Insulation and Solar Launches in Minneapolis

Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF) is a Minneapolis based community energy cooperative that is helping neighbors and businesses save money on insulation and solar panels with unique bulk buying programs.The programs CEF offers are Neighborhood Insulation, Grow Solar, Weatherization Work Parties and Make Mine Solar.Working together as a community, and buying in bulk (www.cooperativeenergyfutures.com/bulk-buying/), makes the process easier, cheaper, and fun.

Would you like to find out more?Attend a free community work shop:Tuesday, October 9, 6-8 pm, at Powderhorn Park (3400 15th Ave S) or Wed, October 17, 6-8 pm, at the Midtown Global Market.

If you are interested in saving money, reducing emissions, or building energy generation, then contact Cooperative Energy Futures to begin shoring up our communities’ electrical futures.More Info: www.cooperativeenergyfutures.com.

Lake Street Museum in the Streets

Congratulations to the Lake Street Council, which has officially launched its long awaited Museum in the Streets!Take a walk along Lake Street and learn its history, as described in beautiful signature plaques with historic photos of life in years past on Lake Street.

There are three walking tours available for the East, Midtown, and West (Uptown) portions of Lake Street.For Ward 8 residents, start your tour at the Midtown Global Market at Lake and Chicago and let your feet take you to some delectable Lake Street Destinations!Thanks to the many volunteers and donors who contributed to this beautiful project that will help us all learn about Lake Street.

Experience 38th Street, the corridor that has connected our communities from the East to the West, from the River to the Lakes for over a century.

The annual Celebrate 38th! Event will feature businesses and activities at 38th and Grand, 38th and Nicollet, and 38th and Chicago.Come enjoy music, dance, food, fun, special sales, prizes, and surprises.

Kids Voting Seeks Volunteers

Kids Voting is a program that provides an authentic voting experience--ballots, booth and all--to every K-12 kid in Minneapolis. To ensure success, Kids Voting is seeking volunteers to staff every precinct in Minneapolis! Kids Voting needs volunteers at many key precincts in Ward 8 and seeks your help!Able to volunteer?Please contact Will Howell at will@kidsvotingminneapolis.org or 612-568-VOTE.

SCABA Fall Festival: Saturday, Sept 29, 10am – 4pm

Please join your neighbors and businesses at 48th and Chicago for the SCABA Fall Festival!The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29th, 10am – 4pm.Featuring music, a bounce house for kids, games, food and wine, sidewalk sale, the grand opening of Health Partners Nokomis Clinic (11am – 2pm) and much, much more!